ASTHMA STORYLINE FEATURED IN REX MORGAN, M.D. COMIC STRIP AANMA’s Toll-Free Number Offered as Public Service

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE…Fairfax, VA – On Monday, April 23, 2001, the popular syndicated comic strip Rex Morgan, M.D. will spotlight Allergy & Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics (AANMA) by listing the nonprofit organization’s toll-free number, 800-878-4403. In the storyline, the mother of an asthmatic child is referred to AANMA’s number for help. May is Asthma Awareness Month, and the timely reference will help kick off AANMA’s fourth annual Asthma Awareness Day on Capitol Hill on May 2, featuring an Asthma and Allergy Expo.

Since January, the long-running medical drama series has focused on the growing problem of asthma, which is more than just wheezing and sneezing – asthma kills 15 Americans each day.

“We are thankful to the creators of Rex Morgan, M.D. for providing valuable, life-saving information to the public. The storyline accurately reflects the medical, psychological, and social struggles many families with asthma face,” said AANMA President Nancy Sander. “Every day for 16 weeks, Woody Wilson has taught 30 million people worldwide about asthma and what it is like to live with it. That’s unprecedented! No individual, government agency, or organization, including AANMA, can make such a claim!” added Sander.

Woody Wilson, writer of the comic strip which is distributed by King Features Syndicate to more than 300 newspapers, praised AANMA. “The information AANMA provides to our readers about asthma and asthmatic children is invaluable. This is the first time in the comic strip’s 53-year history that we have added an 800 number to a storyline. If one person calls the 800 number, it will have been worth it.”

As part of asthma awareness activities, AANMA will host an awards and recognition dinner on Tuesday, May 1 in Washington, D.C. At the dinner, AANMA will present Woody Wilson with the Golden Achievement Award for his efforts to educate the public about this deadly disease.

Founded in 1985, AANMA is a nationwide community-based nonprofit health organization whose mission is to eliminate suffering and death due to asthma and allergies through education, advocacy, community outreach, and research. For more information, call 800-878-4403 or visit www.aanma.org.